The link between the symbolism behind a gem and one’s emotions is much stronger than most of us assume. And this is exactly why people find jewels like the opal immensely appealing.
Join us today as we deep dive into the history of this October birthstone and talk about what it represents.
But First, Here’s Some Background…
Created through the hardening of silica gel in the cracks of sedimentary rocks, the opal’s chemical composition comprises millions of tiny, amorphous silica spheres.
It is highly prized for its mind-boggling play-of-colour, an optical illusion that causes the jewel to showcase different patterns and hues when it comes in contact with light. Due to this kaleidoscopic interplay of colours, the opal is aptly called the ‘Queen of Gems’.
The Symbolism of Opal Throughout History
As with every gemstone, the opal was used to represent different things throughout history.
In the olden times, this stone was commonly associated with imagination and was often used to infuse creativity and good vibes into a person’s life. Many people also believed that this gem would help them predict the future.
The Aboriginal tribes from the Andamooka region in South Australia, on the other hand, linked the stone to the creator of ‘Dreamtime’ – an ancient world created by spirits. According to them, the creator came down to earth on a rainbow, stood on a rock, and preached about his hope for eternal peace. When he ascended into heaven, the rock that he stood on absorbed all the colours of the rainbow and eventually transformed into a stunning opal. Similarly, Arabs and various East Asian cultures also associated this gemstone with God.
Early Romans used this jewel to represent fidelity, hope, and purity. It was also considered to be a sign of good luck and was encrusted into the emperor’s crown to ward off evil.
During the middle ages, the positive attributes associated with the opal greatly depleted. This was due to a novel published by Sir Walter Scott called ‘Anne of Geierstein’. The work of fiction presented the gem in a poor light by displaying it as demonic and an omen of bad luck. However, this association only lasted for a short time due to Queen Victoria of England who refused to believe this negative symbolism. She even gave her daughter opal jewellery as a wedding gift and this, in turn, made the gem popular again.
The Opal Today
Even today, the opal is associated with purity, hope, good luck, and fidelity. Because of this, real opal rings and opal earrings have become a popular gifting choice for various occasions, such as anniversaries and birthdays.
Should You Opt for an Opal?
Yes, you should!
The opal is a valuable jewel for a variety of reasons, some of which we’ve mentioned below.
1. Uniqueness
This stone’s play-of-colour ensures that there will never be another one like it. So if you want a fabulous piece that’s sure to wow the crowd, then this gem is the one for you.
Also read: Is Opal a Rare Gem?
2. Rarity
Believe it or not, only less than 5% of all the opals excavated are fit for commercial use. The sheer rarity of this jewel gives it an air of exclusivity that makes it a worthwhile possession.
Needless to say, the beauty of an opal is simply unparalleled, and the symbolization attached to it makes this gem even more special.
And so, a lot of modern couples are also opting for breathtaking opal engagement rings for their special day.
Also read: Does Tanzanite Have a Special Meaning?
FAQs
1. Are opals rare?
Yes, they are! This is mainly due to two reasons: 1) Almost 95% of all opals found in nature today do not showcase any play-of-colour and are therefore considered to be unusable. 2) The majority of the remaining opals cannot be used by the fine jewellery industry as they are too thin to be cut into different gemstone shapes. This is the reason why all the opal rings for women in Angara’s collection are embedded with cabochons and not faceted jewels.
2. In which countries are opals mined?
Believe it or not, roughly 97% of the entire world’s opal supply is sourced by Australia. Apart from this, the jewel is also commonly found in Mexico.
3. When was the fire opal first found?
According to historians, this jewel was first discovered by the Aztecs in 1345 AD. People during this period associated the bright, peppy hues of the stone with the colourful feathers of a hummingbird and therefore called it ‘vitzitziltecpatl’ meaning ‘the hummingbird stone.’
